I’ve been doing some reading on fly lines and leader selections, and to be honest, it seems a bit confusing … still learning
Is their a direct correlation between fly line weight and leader sizing, IE: 5WF line, calls for a specific leader size (X size) or can a range of leaders be used, 4/5X leader?
I’ve founds tons of info on leader to tippets sizes, but still a bit in the fog on selecting leaders according to the fly line weight being used. Is there a table somewhere that lays this out clearly by chance ?
I think there are two ideas at play here depending on what end of the leader you are referring to. At the fly you may need a 4x tippet for a #16 fly (rule of 4?) regardless of the line you use.
At the butt you need a dia. and flexibility to match that of the fly line at that point. To test this attach a leader to the line and then grasp one side of the connection in each hand about 2" from the connection and ‘hump’ it up to form (hopefully) a smooth curve. If either the line or leader bends sharply then one side is too stiff.
The concern with many commercial tapered leaders is that the butt section is too small - perhaps .019". On leaders I tie myself the butt section is typically .022" (approx. 30# test) for a 5 or 6wt line. If the leader appears too flexible it is easy to fix by putting 15"of heavier mono between the leader and the line. Some leader manufacturers list the butt
dia. on the package, but I know of no chart for this.
Good info Greg. While everyone need not build their own leaders, being aquainted with the principals of design, helps us choose leaders appropriately. Here is a SHORT piece on leader design that I find helpful:
If you need help selecting a proper leader for a specific application, if you would describe your rig: rod, fly line and targeted species in what type of water whether still water of moving water, large river or small spring creek; someone here will be able to make a good recomendation.
For the most part, within reason, you match your leader to the size of fly or flies you will be casting. Within reason means that on a 9wt rod, you would not use a 6X leader. But, on a 5wt or 6 wt rod, I often use leaders ranging in size from 6X to 2X. The leader has to have enough backbone to carry the power of the fly line through it to the fly. So, if you are using a heavy fly, like a size 6 cone head Woolly Bugger, you would not want to use a 5X or 6X leader. The fly will simply overpower the leader.
Here are the specifications listed by Rio (my favorite leader) on their mono Rio Trout Tapered leaders.
Let me make this even worserer, I still think most butt ends of most leaders are too small/skinny/thin. Sometimes I tie a nice (couple of feet or so, maybe three) section of something bigger than whatever it starts out as.
The leader butt attaches directly to the fly line and must be of a diameter similar to the end of the fly line to transfer energy from the fly line to the rest of the leader smoothly.
the charts linked above are simply for “tippet to fly” sizing and has nothing to do with “fly line to leader” sizing.
Remember that most of these types of charts are a good guide, they are not absolute. According to the guide from Kilroys, I can’t take my 4 wt and throw a number 10 bugger. Of course I can and have even thrown 6 and 8 buggers with that outfit. Is it the most efficient, maybe not, but it can definately be done. Yes, I could throw the 8 bugger with one of the 7 wt rods that I have or even the 8 wt, but the 4 wt outfits are my favorite for the type of water that I fish. By the way, I have 3 different 4 wts.
In other words, use the charts as a guide, but they are not absolute.
Right now I mainly fish with a 8’6" 5wt rod(moderate/fast) w/5wf line fishing small lakes, from the banks, for panfish and smallies. I use flies ranging from #6-10(buggers,streamers and poppers).
Thanks again for the info, this is going to be a big help.
Why does a mono leader butt diameter have to be as close to the fly line tip diameter as possible to transfer energy; but a furled leader, braided butt leader, or flat mono butt leader (remember those?) accomplishes fantastic turnover with a way smaller diameter and extreme limpness?
Is it all about the limpness and if so; why wouldn’t a smaller diameter (read limper) mono butt accomplish the same thing?
For the panfish, I typically fish more of a trout leader even for the 9" fish. Truth is, I don’t get into 10" panfish except rarely and only a couple of times in a number of years.
Others might have a different idea, but on still water, I tend to go with longer leaders when it comes to spooky fish. Steelhead in turbulant water and I can fish a 5’ heavy leader.
Both shows will discuss equipment including leaders best suited to their targeted quarry. Those experts have better info than I and the shows are entertaining as well. I have them on my Ipod.
—sagefisher—